Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-05-12

gan to creep stealthily toward the soldier be-
fore her. 1t seemed to us that as she came
| their stociSm gave way, and that they
shrunk from her. AS for ourSelve s. we fol-
lowed her movements with horrible fasci-
nation. Presently, still creeping and
crouching like dog, she was before them.
Then she stopped and pointed. and then
again crept on pace or two
Suddenly the end came. With a shrek
she sprung in and touched tall warrior
with the f0rked wand. Instantly two of his
comrades, those standing Immediately next
TO him, seized the doomed man. each by one
arm, and advanced with him toward the
king.
He did not resist, but we saw that he
dragged his limbs as though they were para
lyZed, and his fingers from which the spear
had fallen, were limp as those of man new
ly dead.
AS he came, two of the vllainous execu-
TONERS stepped forward to meet him. Pres
! emily they met and the executioners turned
round toward the king as though for orders.
''Kilr' said the king
'Killw squeaked Gagool.
'.Killw re-echoed Scragga, with hollow
chuckle. Almost before the words were ut
tered, the horrible deed was done. One man
had driven his spear into the victims heart,
and to make assurance doubly sure, the
other had dashed out his brains with his
great club.
'One" counted Twala, the king, like a
black Madame Defarge, as Good said, and
the body was dragged a few PAGES away and
stretched out.
Hardly was this done, before another poor
wretch was brought up like an OK to the
| Il
leopard-skin cloak, that the man was per-
son of rank. Again the awful syllables
were spoken, and the victim fell dead.
Two" counted the king.
And so the deadly game went on, till some
hundred bodies were stretched in rows be-
hind us. l have heard of the gladiatoriaI
shows of the Caesars, and of Spanish bull
fights. but | take the liberty of doubling if
they were either Of them half as horrible as
this Kukuana hunt. Gladiatorial
shows and Spanish bull-fghts, at any rate
contributed to the public amusement, which
certainly was not the case here. The most
confirmed senSation-monger would fight shy
of sensation if he knew that it was well on
the cards that he would, in his own proper
person, be the subject of the next ''event."
Once we rose and tried to demonstrate,
but were sternly repreSsed by Twala.
Let the law take its course, white men.
These dogs are maglcianS and eyil-doerS; it
is well that they should die" was the only
answer vOuchSafed to us.
About midnight there was pause The
Wltcll-llrtlere gathorad themselves together
apparently exhausted with their bloody
work, and we thought that the whole per-
Torrance was done with. But it was not So
for presently, to our surprise, the old woman
GagOOl, rose from her crOuching position
supporting herself with stick, staggered off
into the open space. 1t was an extraordinary
sight to see this vulture-headed old creature
bent nearly double with extreme age gather
strength by degrees till at last she rushed
about almost as actively as her ill-Omened
pupils. To and fro she ran, chanting to her
self, till suddenly she made dash at tall
man standing in front of one of the regi-
ments, and touched him. AS she did so a
groan went up from the regiment, which he
evidently commanded. But all the same,
two of It's members seized him and brought
him up for execution. We afterward learned
that he was a man of great wealth and I'M
portance, being, indeed, a cousin of the
kings.
He was slain, and the king counted one
hundred and three Then Gagool again
sprung to and fro, gradually drawing nearer
and nearer to ourselves.
s'Hang me if [ don't believe she is going to
try her games on IL" calculated Good, in
horror.
''Nonsenser' said Sir Henry.
AS for myself as [ saw that old tiend
dancing nearer and nearer, my heart posi-
lively sunk in my boots. [ glanced behind
us at the long rows of corpseS and shiyered.
Nearer and nearer waltzed GagooI look
ing for all the world like an animated
crooked stick, her horrid eyes cleaning and
glowing with most unhoIy luster.
Nearer she came, nearer yet, every pair of
eyes in that vast assemblage watching her
movements with intense anxiety. At last
she stood still and pointed.
(which is it to be?' asked Sir Henry to
himself.
In moment all doubts were set at rest,
for the old woman had rushed in and
touched Umbopa, atlas lgnosi, OH the
shoulder.
Il smell him out" she shrieked kill
him, kill him, he is full of evil; kill him, the
stranger, before blood flows for him. Stay
him, o kingW
There was a pause, which [ instantly
took advantage of.
SO king!' / called out rising from my
seat, this man is the servant of thy guests,
he is their dog; whosoever sheds the blood
of our dog sheds our blood. By the sacred
law of hospitality | claim protection for
for him."
''Gagool, mother of the witch doctors, has
smelled him out; he must die, white men,"
was the sullen answer.
NAY, he shall not die" / replied; she
who tries to touch him shall die indeed"
'Seize him!' roared Twala, to the execu-
TONERS, who stood around red to the eyes
with the blood of their victims.
They advanced toward us, and then hest
tated. As for Ignosi, he raised his spear,
and raised it as though determined to sell his
life dearly.
stand back, We dogs l shouted, ''if ye
would see to-morow's light. Touch one
hair of his head and your king dies" and
covered Twala with my revolver. Sir Henry
and Good also drew their pistols, Sir Henry
| pointing his at the leading eXecutioner, who
was advancing to carry out the sentence,
and Good taking deliberate aim at Gagool.